Association Burkinabè de Fundraising

Apply for funding to support excellent global health research and strengthen research leadership in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

The Medical Research Council (MRC) aims to attract and retain exceptionally talented "rising stars" who will conduct high quality research on key global health issues relevant to SSA.

Researchers should be supported by an enthusiastic local research environment and a UK-based mentor as part of a partnership between African and UK institutions.

Information on financing

The grants will provide support for up to five years and the amount requested must not exceed £750,000 in total.

Information on African Research Leaders funding

The grants will provide support for up to five years and the amount requested must not exceed £750,000 in total.

What are you looking for?

• Your application should address the four key elements of the programme, namely
  • talented African research leader candidate "rising star
  • proposal for a high quality research programme
  • African academic environment or institution conducive to research
  • firm partnership with a UK partner institution.
• The African applicant will hold (or arrange for) a permanent academic position in an eligible African research institution.
• As a "rising star", the African candidate :
  • develop a research team and undertake original research
  • be building a track record of independence in their chosen field and showing promise as a future research leader
  • be well qualified for academic research having spent at least the last three years in active research. This can be evidenced by:
    • through a growing body of staff and student supervision
    • through an expanding portfolio of lead author publications
    • obtaining local or national funding
    • attracting recognition through prizes and awards.

Eligibility criteria African Research Leaders

• The lack of research funding and infrastructure in many sub-Saharan African countries can make it difficult to attract and retain talented African scientists. As a result, African nationals are currently under-represented as leaders in medical research in the region.
• This programme aims to support talented early career African researchers who are either already based in a SSA country or are currently working abroad and wish to return to a SSA country.
• You can apply for this opportunity if you are a researcher based in an eligible African research institution with sufficient research capacity to manage and conduct research. This includes:
  • Universities or colleges based in SSA with degree-granting powers recognised by the government in which the organisation is based. This includes the MRC units at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in Uganda and The Gambia
  • research-based institutes based in sub-Saharan Africa, either funded by the government of the country in which the organisation is based or by a not-for-profit organisation
  • Research-based non-profit organisations based in SSA with dedicated research capacity.
• If an applicant is returning to work in SSA, they must make their own arrangements to relocate and secure a permanent academic position at an eligible African research institution if one does not already exist (and should be in place at the start of any fellowship). ).
• The successful candidate is expected to continue his/her appointment at the African research institution beyond the duration of this fellowship.
• The African applicant should:
  • have completed a PhD
  • be well qualified for academic research having spent at least the last three years in active research (post-doctorate)
  • build up a track record of independence in their chosen field and show promise as a future research leader.
• The proposal for an African research leader must be submitted in partnership with a UK co-investigator (mentor) offering relevant opportunities, such as
  • senior or complementary scientific expertise
  • capacity building
  • broadening the discipline
  • technology sharing
  • mentoring.

For more information, please visit the Medical Research Council (MRC) .